COMMENDING MYSELF TO OTHERS
2 Cor. 4:2 (KJV)
“But have renounced the hidden things of
dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in the sight of God.”
Introduction:
I can read this text and see that I am to
commend myself to others. Also I notice
a four point lesson here: 1. I have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty;
2. Not walking in craftiness; 3. Nor handling the word
of God deceitfully; 4. Commending ourselves to every man’s conscience.
Here’s a point often overlooked when
teaching about the conscience. “Conscience” here is the other person’s
perception! Rather than having approval in my own conscience concerning myself
(please don’t misunderstand me for such is essential for my spiritual well
being) here the approval is in others’ consciences. It’s like saying, “How do you
feel about me now?”
I. I have
renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, darkness, shame or disgrace.
A. To “renounce” means “to say off for oneself, disown”
(Strong’s Helps). When such is
the case people will not be asking me, “Have you quit doing that?” Nor will
they be saying to me, “We need to know if you’ve stopped that or not?” Please
be aware that those “or
nots” are in their consciences and perception still.
And that can be bad for them IF they judge one falsely. Hear Paul,
“Therefore judge nothing before the time,
until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the
hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:
and then shall every man have praise of God” (I Cor. 4:5).
Note: We don’t want to end up lowering
ourselves to spreading rumors, gossiping, second-guessing, or evil surmising.
B.
Consider the practical points of these definitions:
1.
»Strong’s Help apeipomen, Greek 550, Strong’s apeipomen, ap-i-pom'-ane;
reflexive past of a compound of Greek 575 (apo) and
Greek 2036 (epo):
a.
»Strong’s Help apo, Greek 575, Strong’s apo, apo'; a primary particle; “off,”
i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time,
or relation; literal or figurative) :- In composition (as a prefix) it
usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
b.»Strong’s
Help epo, Greek 2036, Strong’s epo, ep'-o; a primary verb (used only in the definite
past tense, the others being borrowed from Greek 2046 (ereo),
Greek 4483 (rheo) and Greek 5346 (phemi));
to speak or say (by word or writing) :- answer, bid, bring
word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare Greek 3004 (lego).
Note: I commend myself when my brethren have the
assurance there are no such things in my life!
C.
Compare: 2 Cor. 5:11.
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are
made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your
consciences.”
1.
Paul says “we are made manifest” unto God.”
a. Made manifest:
NASB Dictionary Help phaneroo, Greek 5319, NASB phaneroo; from Greek 5318 (phaneros);
to make visible, make clear .”
b.
No one gets “past” God knowing what they are (See 2 Cor.
2.
And look at the next phrase, “and I trust also are made manifest in your
consciences.” He “expected” that they had made themselves “clear,
visible” (in a righteous way) in their consciences.
a)
The word “trust” is rendered “hope” (nasb). The NASB
Dictionary Help says: elpizo, Greek 1679, NASB elpizo; from elpo
(to anticipate, usually with pleasure); to expect, to hope (for).
b)
When we have renounced the hidden things of darkness we will expect or hope to have
commended ourselves in others’ consciences. Moreover, this is something with
which there is satisfaction and joy.
II.
Not walking in craftiness.
A.2 Cor.
“For our rejoicing is this, the testimony
of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly
wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the
world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”
Declarations such as this ask us to compare
what the “world says about us” with what “brethren say about us.” Has the world
seen holiness in you at the times you have offered it criticism? When you have
directed them towards serving Christ? Even the world knows what a “hypocrite”
is! Moreover, Paul did not come with “fleshly wisdom” (impressive human knowledge,
the wisdom of this world) because its use does not produce God’s desired
outcome in peoples’ lives. Moreover, “fleshly wisdom” does not work well with
the Christian’s holiness and non-hypocritical sincerity!
III. Nor handling the word of
God deceitfully.
A.
2 Cor.
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the
word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we
in Christ.”
The context refers to peddling the word of
God for gain. God’s precious Word can be used for other things than preaching
the truth out of love for the truth and salvation of souls; when it is others
are going to be led astray! The motive behind one’s flattery will soon display
itself to man, as it already has to God. Without the mind on fame, riches and
power one has no problem not using flattery and speaking God’s word in love.
Moreover, this can be done with gentleness, affection, sacrificing, labor, being holy, just and unblameable.
Hear Paul,
“For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor
of uncleanness, nor in guile: [4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in
trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. [5] For neither at any time used we
flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of
covetousness; God is witness: [6] Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you,
nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of
Christ. [7] But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth
her children: [8] So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to
have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls,
because ye were dear unto us. [9] For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring
night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached
unto you the gospel of God. [10] Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and
justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you
that believe: [11] As ye know how we exhorted and
comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,” (1 Thes. 2:3-11 (KJV)).
IV. Commending myself to every
man’s conscience.
A.
2 Cor. 11:6 (KJV)
“But though I be
rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly
made manifest among you in all things.”
B. Question: How can I be thoroughly made manifest
“among” my brethren?
1. Answer: Try copying Paul’s way.
“But in all things approving
ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in
afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [5] In stripes,
in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours,
in watchings, in fastings;
[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness,
by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, [7] By the word of
truth, by the power of God, by the armour
of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, [8] By honour and dishonour, by evil
report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; [9] As unknown,
and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened,
and not killed; [10] As sorrowful, yet alway
rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and
yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:4-10).
Note it says “in all things” and not
“some” things, thus involving much sacrifice and labor. The Christian who
does not do it in “all” is going to be like the apple that looks good on the
front and sides, but has a rotten spot through the back! Dear reader strive to
understand thoroughly to “what degree” one is to commend himself by following the “in” above, and then
watch the transition to “by” and then to “as” to get the complete
understanding. (Cp. 2 Tim. 3:10-11, I Tim. 6:11)
2. Answer: Do what those in
“For behold this selfsame thing, that ye
sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what
clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what
vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have
approved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Cor.
Conclusion: Yes, when we
have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty then we CAN thoroughly manifest
ourselves to others’ consciences in the sight of God. Question: Have I
commended myself to every man’s conscience? Moreover, am I thankful for the way
that God through His Word has enabled me to help the world, and especially my
brethren?